Roll of Honor
Incident
City Marshal Dayton Godwin was shot and killed while speaking to the owner of a dog that had eaten a steak at the city market.
The dog had followed its owner into the market, grabbed a steak, and ran outside to eat it. The market's owner demanded that the dog's owner pay for the steak but the man refused. Marshal Godwin, the market owner's brother, was called and attempted to mediate.
The subject drew a handgun when Marshal Godwin suggested the man settle with the market owner. The two exchanged shots and Marshal Godwin was struck in the chest twice. The suspect, 28, a local prominent farmer, was apprehended and released. No charges.
City Marshal Godwin, On today, the 110th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Lily.
R.I.P. USBP
Anonymous United States Border Patrol November 1st, 2023
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- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
City Marshal Godwin served with the Lilly Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Lilly community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, City Marshal Godwin.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
City Marshal A. Dayton Godwin is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In GA, 548 of 903 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60.7% of this state's fallen. That is 6.5 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. A. Dayton Godwin's cause is highlighted.
How A. Dayton Godwin Compares
Offender Outcome
Apprehended and released
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. A. Dayton Godwin is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. A. Dayton Godwin was killed by handgun.